Tevita Pangai Jnr will start round one on the bench. (AAP Image/Dave Hunt)

Rugby League

Real reason $1m NRL beast benched

by Tyson Otto

14th Mar 2019 5:00 PM

LATE changes to team lists for the opening round of the NRL season have thrown up some dramatic storylines.

None are bigger than a report which claims the Broncos are playing a dangerous game of tough love with star forward Tevita Pangai Junior.

The emerging wrecking ball, who is expected to be considered for NSW in this year's State of Origin series, remains uncontracted beyond this year.

Pangai has been named to start the season on the bench for the Broncos after coach Anthony Seibold made the call to keep Matt Gillett in the lock position, dropping Pangai to the bench behind a starting pack featuring Matt Lodge, Joe Ofahengaue, Alex Glenn and Jaydn Su'A.

It has now been reported by Channel 7 rugby league journalist Chris Garry the Broncos' move to demote Pangai in the middle of their contract negotiations could be a play to "knock him down a few pegs".

The report claims some Broncos officials were concerned that the 23-year-old was beginning to develop a big head after a breakthrough 2018 season.

It is a high-stakes gamble from the Broncos, who may also be looking to diminish Pangai's value on the open market in a bid to retain the star forward on a deal that will keep them under the salary cap for 2020.

Tevita Pangai has battled a hamstring issue during the pre-season. Picture: AAP

"One player really worth keeping an eye on, not just for tonight, but for the whole season, that's Tevita Pangai Jnr," Garry said.

"He's coming off the bench. He's off contract this year. I get the sense they're trying to knock him down a few pegs at the moment. There's been some reports and rumours circulating that he got a big head towards the end of last year. I find him a fantastic guy, so it seems a bit strange to me.

"He's off contract this year and starting the season on the bench, I expect him to court offers of around $800,000 to $1 million per season and I just wonder if the Broncos are going to be able to match that and I wonder if they want to match that and how much it will upset him starting off the bench to begin the season."

The revelation comes after Seibold said he has seen enough of Pangai as an opposition coach to trust him with a round one berth despite his hobbled NRL pre-season.

The exciting forward has battled hamstring issues throughout his young career and had Broncos fans holding their breath when he limped off early in a trial game last month.

Anthony Seibold is happy to play Tevita Pangai Jnr but has benched him for the opening round. Image: AAP Image/Darren England

Seibold, however, said earlier this week he has full faith in Pangai's ability to hit the ground running, despite his limited pre-season.

Pangai's interesting situation headlines the late mail heading into the season opener on Thursday night between the Storm and Broncos, including: